After basking in the warmest day of the year yesterday, the weather over the Easter weekend may not seem so hot and sunny. Yet for an Irish bank holiday, it will be pretty fine.
Temperatures in the country topped some Mediterranean resorts yesterday. And even though the forecast is for slightly cooler temperatures, Met Éireann's Ms Deirdre Lowe said: "If we hadn't had the glorious weather over the past two days, we would think it was good."
Top temperature yesterday reached 24 degrees in Co Mayo.
Ms Lowe said it would be another glorious day today, and just as dry and bright. It would be very sunny and warm for this time of year. Temperatures would drop a little to between 17 to 21 degrees.
In spite of a more easterly breeze tomorrow, it would still be dry with good sunshine.
The east coast could become slightly cooler, and overall temperatures would remain in the high teens.
She said Easter Sunday would see the start of more cloud, but there would be some intervals of sunshine and temperatures would still be good, although cooler at between 11 and 16 degrees. There could be a risk of showers in the south-east.
By Monday, more normal bank holiday weather would reach us as showers were likely, and the weather would be a lot more unstable. Temperatures would remain between 11 to 16 degrees.
Ms Lowe said the best weather would be today and tomorrow, becoming cooler and a bit cloudier through the weekend. However, it would generally be good.
Irish Water Safety (IWS) yesterday issued a warning as it said the unusually find weather would draw people to the beaches for all sorts of leisure activities.
The IWS chairman, Mr Frank Nolan, said the public must remember their responsibility and take measures to protect themselves and their children from the hazards associated with being near the water and avoid cold, shock, hypothermia and drowning.
Water enthusiasts should ensure that lifejackets were fully prepared for the reason ahead. This would reduce the number of drownings this weekend.
"Water temperatures are still cold, and swimmers are cautioned that their bodies are not acclimatised and they should not to stay long in the water," Mr Nolan warned.
He added that alcohol was a contributory factor in 30 per cent of all accidental drownings.
The Minister of State for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr John Browne, yesterday also urged members of the public to exercise the utmost caution this weekend if visiting forest areas to avoid fires.
He said people should be aware of the dangers of the careless disposal of cigarette ends and matches, and be extra careful if planning barbecues or picnics .